Container for providing easy access to beverage cans

ABSTRACT

A container having a multiplicity of cans therein. The container disclosed is modified from a rectangular, closed wall container to a container with part of the walls removed, thereby allowing easy access to the cans of the container. Applicant discloses a unique relationship between the walls of the opened container and the size of the beverage cans. Applicant also discloses a method for constructing a closed container that may be easily modified to remove the cans of the container.

This is a continuation of and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/388,951, filed Mar. 14, 2003 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,673, issued Sep. 14, 2004); which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/946,004, filed Sep. 4, 2001 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,651); and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/542,661, filed Apr. 4, 2000 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,293).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Beverage can containers, more specifically a beverage can container for providing easy access to the beverage cans contained therein.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Beverages, such as soda or beer, often come in cylindrical, aluminum, typically 12 oz. cans. Traditionally, one could buy a single can or a “six pack.” The six pack is simply six cans contained in a typically rectangular paper container or hung on interconnected plastic rings.

More recently, cans of soda and beer have become available in packs of twelve cans. The twelve pack is typically rectangular cardboard with the cans, usually in a 4×3 matrix arrangement, stacked closely next to one another. The twelve pack has walls typically constructed of light cardboard or thick paperboard, being thicker than writing stock paper but not as robust or thick as corrugated cardboard. These twelve packs presently enjoy popularity with use by Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola, the two leading providers of soda as well as by many major domestic beer companies.

The twelve pack containers provide a convenient means to carry the beverage cans but are not handy for dispensing the cans. Typically, the consumer will purchase the twelve pack, bring it home, tear the pack open and pull out the cans to stack them in the refrigerator, discarding the container. Applicant provides, however, for a modification to the currently available twelve pack to convert the carrying container to a dispensing container. That is, the cans will remain within the carrying container, the container acting, as modified by applicant as a beverage can dispenser.

An object of Applicant's present invention is to provide for a container for beverage cans which will allow easy access to the beverage cans for easy removal but will also hold the beverage cans therein.

It is also an object of Applicant's present invention to provide a modification to currently existing beverage can containers so that the containers, as modified, will provide easy access to the cans therein.

This and other objects are provided for in a generally rectangular, paper beverage can container with a corner removed on a diagonal line across the two side walls, the line running from a front wall to the adjacent top wall.

There are a number of benefits with Applicant's novel beverage container with a dispensing cutout therein. These include ease of access. This is obtained by placing the twelve pack container on edge with a cutout in the upper corner. Easy and fast accessibility to the cold beverage cans will increase consumption and sales of the product.

Applicant's invention also provides for gravity feed to enhance access to the beverage cans. This is created by the weight of the cans when the beverage container is placed in a vertical position. This position naturally pushes the cans, under the influence of gravity, towards the front wall of the container. The cutout location is designed to take maximum advantage of this gravity feed.

Another advantage of Applicant's invention is the ability to effectively utilize space, especially in a refrigerator or kitchen cabinet. By placement of the cutout in the position indicated, the container may be placed vertically to save space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of applicants invention.

FIG. 1A is side view of a 12 oz. beverage can.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the beverage container modified accordingly to Applicant's invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of applicants invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of Applicants invention.

FIG. 4 is a two dimensional pattern of a typical paper twelve pack container illustrating the area removed to provide for applicants unique dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Line 12A shows the position of a line on the front wall of a beverage container from one side wall to the next, the line being straight and meeting the edge between the front wall and the side wall at a 90° angle. The line 12D shows the position of a diagonal line across each of the two side walls between the front wall and the top wall, lines 12D, at 12B and 12C showing a preferred range of the position of line 12D with respect to the top wall. Line 12E is a line across the top wall, one side wall to the next and perpendicular to the edges of the top wall. The beverage container will be cut through along lines 12A, 12D and 12E to remove section 12 from the rest of the container (See FIG. 1B). The position of lines 12A, 12D and 12E may be premarked, scored (or otherwise weaken) by the manufacturer of the beverage container so as to direct the consumer to the position for cutting and removing portion 12.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modified twelve pack container 10 with cylindrical aluminum 12 oz. beverage cans A packed inside in a 4×3 arrangement and designating two side walls S/W, a top wall T/W, a bottom wall B/W, a front wall F/W and a rear wall R/W. It is noted that the two side walls have the greatest surface area, the top and bottom walls having a surface area between the two side walls and the front and rear walls, which have the least surface area. A support surface, such as a refrigerator shelf, is designated SS. The top, bottom, front and rear walls are defined when the container is placed on a support surface, as illustrated in FIG. 1, with the F/W chosen to provide for the most convenient access. FIG. 1 also illustrates Applicant's modification, being a cut or removed portion 12, the removed portion being a corner of the container where the front wall meets the top wall and defined by a diagonal line across the two sidewalls between the front wall and the top wall, and a line across the top wall and across the front wall, this line along which the removed portion is defined designated 12A.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevational view of the twelve pack of FIG. 1 wherein the dimension designated D is the approximate diameter of a 12 oz. aluminum beverage can, typically about 6.6 centimeters. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the typical twelve pack beverage container is a little over 4 diameters long (about 26 cms) and about 3 “diameters” high (about 20 cms) to enclose therein, in a 3×4 matrix, twelve cans. Furthermore it sometimes includes a handle 14 thereon, the handle typically being walls defining a cut out in the top wall for the receipt of a hand thereinto. The height (H) of a typical 12 oz. metal beverage can is about 12.6 cm.

In FIG. 2 it is seen that Applicant modifies the standard heavy paper wall twelve pack container by cutting off the corner created by the joinder of the front wall and top wall. This is preferably done in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The preferred height of the front wall defined after the cut across the front wall is less than two diameters but greater than one diameter, more preferably between 1.50 and 1.80 times D. Indeed, the most preferred height of the front wall defining the cut to remove portion 12 is between 1¼ diameter and 1¾ diameter. Such dimension allows easy receipt of the second course of cans but is high enough to prevent the second course of cans from falling out when there are still 3 courses in the container.

The preferred length of the top wall defined after the cut is between 1 and 3 diameters, preferably between 1 and 2 diameters. These cut dimensions are illustrated by lines 12B and 12C set forth in FIG. 2.

Cuts along the lines 12A, 12D and 12E may be made with a knife, razor or any other suitable instrument. When the cuts are made as set forth in FIGS. 1 and 2, portion 12 can be removed (See FIG. 1B) and the single can at the top corner will then be removed and the container placed in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 for easy dispensing of the remaining cans.

FIG. 3 provides for a diagonal cut 12C across the side walls S/W's that terminates adjacent handle 14. Handle 14, in a 4×3 twelve pack is usually at 2 diameters from a top edge (half way across top wall T/W) to provide for proper balance.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flattened twelve pack pattern 16 which will fold together to provide for a typical twelve pack with dimension. Handle 14 is illustrated. Scored line 18 is made as part of the process of constructing the container, typically after the outer perimeter 20 defining the pattern 16 of the box is formed. Scored line 18 may be grooves, scratches or notches, or any other means known in the trade to weaken the paperboard such that it is easier for the user to remove portion twelve. Indeed, with proper scoring in ways known in the trade, it is fairly easy to remove portion twelve without a cutting instrument. Note in FIG. 4 that folding the pattern 16 will provide for the twelve pack illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 with the diagonal line 12D running across the side walls from the front wall F/W to the top wall T/W.

In an alternate preferred embodiment Applicant provides a twelve pack container with a line marked on the front wall F/W at between 1D and 2D, on the top wall T/W between 1D and 3D and across the two side walls S/W's to define the pattern for removal of a corner 12 of a twelve pack container as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 to show a consumer that they may cut the container along the line to convert it into the Applicants novel dispenser container as illustrated.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention. 

1. A container containing a multiplicity of cylindrical cans, each can having a can height and a can diameter and a longitudinal axis, the multiplicity of cans stacked in a multiplicity of columns and rows, the container comprising: a pair of side walls spaced apart a distance of about one can height; a front wall and a rear wall, spaced apart a distance of about a multiplicity of can diameters, the front and rear walls substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the cans; and a top wall and a bottom wall spaced apart a distance of about a multiplicity of can diameters; wherein the front wall includes thereon at least part of a front wall graphical indicator line, the top wall includes thereon at least part of a top wall graphical indicator line, and each of the side walls include thereon at least part of a side wall graphical indicator line, the four graphical indicator lines at least partially running with and defining a pattern, the pattern defining a container opening obtainable by cutting along the pattern, the container opening for dispensing the beverage cans therefrom.
 2. The container of claim 1 wherein the graphical indicator lines are dashed lines.
 3. A rectangular container containing a multiplicity of cylindrical beverage cans arranged in a uniform row and column arrangement, each can having a longitudinal axis, a can height and a can diameter, the container comprising: a bottom wall along which a multiplicity of cans lay horizontally in a row; a top wall, spaced apart from the bottom wall by about a multiplicity of horizontal can rows; a pair of side walls spaced apart by about a can height; and a front wall and a rear wall substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes, the front and rear walls spaced apart by a multiplicity of can diameters; wherein at least part of a score line is provided on the top wall, the front wall, and each of the side walls, and wherein at least a portion of each of the score lines is indicated by a graphical indicator line running with the portion, the score lines defining a container opening from which horizontally disposed beverage cans may be removed when the bottom wall is on a support surface and such that, after removal, the front wall is capable of retaining at least a row of cans therein.
 4. The rectangular container of claim 3 wherein the graphical indicator line is a dashed line.
 5. An apparatus comprising: twelve cylindrical beverage cans, each can having a can diameter, a can height, and a longitudinal axis; and a rectangular container having a pair of side walls separated by about a can height, a top wall and a bottom wall separated by about a multiplicity of can diameters, and a front wall and a rear wall separated by about a multiplicity of can diameters, the container including a beverage can access opening portion on the front wall, the top wall, and the side walls, and wherein the beverage can access opening portion is defined by a combination of a score line and a graphical score line location mark running with at least part of the score line.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the graphical score line location mark is dashed.
 7. A container containing a multiplicity of substantially identical cylindrical beverage items in a row and column matrix having at least a top row and a next to the top row, each item having an item diameter, an item height, and a longitudinal axis, the container comprising: a front wall and a rear wall separated by about a multiplicity of item diameters such that the top row includes an item adjacent to the front wall with the longitudinal axis of the adjacent item substantially parallel to the front wall, a bottom wall and a top wall separated by about a multiplicity of item diameters, and two side walls separated by about an item height, the container including a score line graphical pattern, the score line graphical pattern running with, at least in part, a removable section having a front wall portion, a portion of both side walls and a portion of the top wall, such that detachment of said removable section provides access to the beverage items while preventing the next to the top row of items from rolling out of the container when the container rests on the bottom wall.
 8. The container of claim 7 wherein the score line graphical pattern is comprised of a dashed line.
 9. A container for containing a multiplicity of substantially identical cylindrical beverage cans each can having a can diameter, a can height, and a longitudinal axis, the cans arranged in a row and column matrix having at least a top row and a next to the top row, each row having a row bottom, the container having a front wall and a rear wall separated by about a multiplicity of can diameters, a top wall and a bottom wall separated by about a multiplicity of can diameters, and a pair of side walls separated by about a can height, the container comprising: a top row forwardmost can adjacent to the front wall with a longitudinal axis of the forwardmost can substantially parallel to the front wall; a pattern defined by a line marked on the front wall between the bottom of the top row and the bottom of the next to the top row, on the top wall spaced apart from the front wall, and on the two side walls, the pattern defining, at least in part, a removable corner portion, such that removal of the corner portion allows access to the cans therein while not allowing the next to the top row of cans to roll out of the container when the container is resting on the bottom wall.
 10. The container of claim 9 wherein the line of the pattern is a dashed line.
 11. A container containing a multiplicity of horizontally stacked cylindrical cans in can columns and can rows, the can columns located between a front wall and a rear wall, there being at least a top can row and a next to the top can row, the top row including a forwardmost can adjacent the front wall, the cans being substantially identical and each can having a can top, a can bottom, a can height, a can diameter, and a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the front wall, the container including a top wall and a bottom wall spaced apart by about a multiplicity of can diameters, and two side walls spaced apart by about a can height, the container including: a removable access portion, the removable access portion comprised of a portion of each of the top wall, the front wall and the two side walls, such that removal of the portions leaves a pair side wall edges, which side wall edges expose a substantial part of the can top and the can bottom of the forwardmost can, for ease of removal of the forwardmost can, and removal of the portions further provides access to the cans remaining after removal of the forwardmost can and such that the front wall retains cans in the next to the top can row from rolling out of the container with the bottom wall resting flat on a support surface.
 12. The container of claim 11 wherein each of the side wall edges include a diagonal portion and wherein the removable access portion is indicated, at least in part, by a dashed line.
 13. A container for containing and allowing the dispensing of a multiplicity of beverage cans therein, the container comprising: a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls, the container further including: a combination of a score line and a dashed score line location marker line, wherein the score line defines a weakened portion of at least part of each of the front wall, the top wall and the two side walls and the dashed score line location marker line identifies at least part of the score line, the score line for removal of a container portion to allow access to the cans therein.
 14. A method of manufacturing a container containing a multiplicity of substantially identical cylindrical items each having a height, a diameter, and a longitudinal axis, the method comprising: providing a paperboard sheet capable of being folded into a container having a front wall and a rear wall spaced apart by about a multiplicity of item diameters and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes, a top wall and a bottom wall spaced apart by about a multiplicity of item diameters, and two side walls spaced apart by about an item height; weakening a portion such that, when in a folded configuration, the weakened portion will define an upper portion of the front wall, a top wall portion adjacent the upper portion of the front wall, and two side wall portions such that removal of the weakened portion will allow removal of items from the folded container; and providing a marker line for identifying at least some portion of the weakened portion to assist in locating the weakened portion so as to facilitate the removal of the weakened portion.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the marker line of the step for providing a marker line is, at least in part, a dashed line. 